Singer Sajjad Ali has stated that participants on Pakistan Idol are not allowed to perform his songs due to a dispute over copyright with the show's organizers.

 

 

During a recent press conference in Canada, the artist stated that the Pakistan Idol team had approached him to secure the rights for his music, but both parties could not agree on the financial terms.

 

 

Ali noted that the limited selection of licensed tracks accessible to contestants has resulted in a lack of variety in the show’s performances. He pointed out that the organizers were unable to obtain rights for his songs and those of other artists, limiting the options available to contestants.

 

 

“Every contestant desired to sing our songs,” he remarked, adding that anyone who performed them would receive significant admiration and possibly win the competition.

 

 

While soke people agreed with him, most questioned his stance, calling it unfair to young performers.

 

 

One social media user wrote, “This is a very weird action.” Another commented, “We respect you a lot, but this statement is unnecessary.” 

 

 

Some argued that restricting songs limits creative expression on a platform meant to discover new voices. “Why didn’t you give the copyright claims? It’s a competition, contestants should be allowed to sing the song of their choice,” one person remarked. 

 

 

Another asked, “Why are they all so full of themselves? They know how hard it is in Pakistan to sing and make a career out of it. Why not have a heart and open it up for the new generation?”

 

 

According to Pakistan’s Copyright Ordinance of 1962, the rights to a song are exclusively owned by the creator unless licensed or transferred. Any public performance or adaptation without permission is deemed a legal infringement.

 

 

Ali emphasised that a significant portion of the show’s licensed catalog is sourced from EMI Records, Pakistan's oldest record label, which possesses rights to a vast collection of works from artists like Noor Jehan, Mehdi Hassan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Strings, and Vital Signs.

 

 

The singer’s remarks come after other musicians criticized the show. The disagreement has prevented contestants from performing Sajjad Ali’s well-known songs, but it has also sparked debate over ownership, access, and opportunities in Pakistan’s music industry.